Category business

Delhi, India, 22nd February, 2024 Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation (HHSIF), the philanthropic arm of Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) in collaboration with Americares India Foundation, has completed two projects aimed at enhancing primary healthcare centers (PHCs) and schools in rural India. With a combined investment of over 6 crores in FY 2023-24, HHSIF and Americares have upgraded 48 PHCs and 6 schools across Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu.

Recognizing the critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure and educational facilities in rural communities, HHSIF embarked on a strategic journey to address these challenges in the year 2021-22. Over the years an investment of close to 17 crores has been made to upgrade 104 PHC, which has impacted over 30 lakh rural lives. In past year alone, HHSIF has invested nearly 4.5 crore towards upgrading 48 PHCs across Sangli, Satara, Nashik, Dehradun, Bhiwani and Kaithal. Vital medical equipment, coupled with essential training to proficiently operate the equipment, has been provided alongside the refurbishment of health center buildings ensuring that the PHC’s are well equipped to deliver healthcare services of the highest quality. The donated equipment includes vital medical instruments and devices crucial for effective healthcare delivery in palliative, maternity, dental, ophthalmic, immunization, ENT services and enhancing the capacity of these centers to cater to the healthcare needs of the communities they serve.

“Post Covid, Honeywell India partnered with Americares India Foundation to enhance healthcare infrastructure. In the last year the company also expanded its focus on boosting educational infrastructure to support communities with better access to healthcare and educational facilities. Over last three years, the company has invested 14.56 crores across 3states to boost medical facilities for underprivileged communities. Our efforts this year have benefitted over 21 lakh people in these regions. Nearly 30 projects have been successfully completed in Maharashtra, 12 in Uttarakhand, 10 in Haryana and 2 in Tamil Nadu. Through sustainable community development initiatives, we aim to address the fundamental needs at the grassroots level, contributing to the overall well-being of the society,” said Ashish Modi, President, Honeywell India.

Shripad Desai, DSVP- Country Team Liaison Americares, said, “With Our partnership with Honeywell for enhancing primary healthcare centers (PHCs) and schools in rural India, Americares have upgraded 48 PHCs and 6 schools across Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu. With this collaboration, we aim to make a difference by Sustainable Community Development improving the quality of life in communities.”

In addition to strengthening healthcare infrastructure, Honeywell has invested 1.5 crore through project Anandgaon to upgrade school facilities and foster quality education. This initiative has positively impacted around 2000 students across six schools in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu. By focusing on comprehensive rural development, project Anandgaon, initiated in FY21-22 aims to provide educational and community infrastructure in remote rural areas, ensuring inclusive and equitable access to quality education. The initiative encompasses various aspects of school development, including classroom construction, smart class setup, and the construction of WASH facilities, such as handwashing stations, toilets, and drinking water facilities.

HHSIF, in collaboration with Americares, has enhanced over 104 PHCs and 10 schools, benefiting a total of 30 lakh+ beneficiaries since inception, and remains dedicated to prioritizing the enhancement of healthcare and educational infrastructure at the grassroots level. This partnership underscores Honeywell’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Indian government’s efforts to empower rural and underprivileged communities.

As the wedding season unfolds, Language proudly introduces its latest ethnic collection curated for men and women. Perfect for weddings, engagements, and various festive occasions, these premium products are designed to elevate your celebratory looks and leave a lasting impression.

The Casey Loafer embodies ethnic grace and refined essence. It highlights an embroidered floral design in a velvet upper, radiating timeless elegance. Its moisture-absorbing leather lining ensures optimal comfort, while the genuine leather sole adds a touch of sophistication.

The Barry Loafer is intricately embroidered with sequined floral motifs. These beautifully crafted shoes exude festive spirit with a premium feel. The cushioned footbed and genuine leather sole effortlessly combine comfort with tradition.

Language also introduces a meticulously crafted array of Women’s accessories for this wedding season. Elevate your style with these chic clutches and top-handle bags crafted with precision and attention to detail. These pieces showcase exquisite printed leather, premium velvet fabrics adorned with embellishments, offering the perfect companion for attending weddings and special occasions.

Bangalore, 22nd February 2024 IONAGE, a prominent eMobility service provider based in Bangalore, is excited to announce a pathbreaking collaboration with SundayGrids, unveiling India’s inaugural Digital Solar-based EV Charging Platform. This platform represents a significant stride in India’s pursuit of sustainable mobility, providing EV owners the unparalleled convenience of charging their vehicles using solar power anywhere, anytime, fostering a truly 100% sustainable approach.

Established in 2021, IONAGE has quickly emerged as a dynamic force, empowering CPOs, businesses, and EV owners in its journey towards sustainable mobility. Currently, IONAGE has onboarded an impressive 3000 charge points across the country and aims to add another 3000 charge points in the next two quarters and over 100,000 charge points by 2028.

The introduction of the Digital Solar-based EV Charging Platform by IONAGE and SundayGrids comes at a crucial juncture in India’s transition towards electric mobility. Electric vehicles (EVs) pose environmental concerns, especially in fossil fuel-dependent nations like India, where each unit of electricity generates 820 grams of CO2, resulting in about 136 grams emitted per kilometre driven. IONAGE tackles this by utilizing solar energy for charging, advocating for cleaner transportation, and lowering EVs’ carbon footprint. It also caters to eco-conscious users with space constraints for rooftop solar panels, broadening access to sustainable solutions. Speaking on the innovation, Vimal Kumar, co-founder and CEO of IONAGE Technologies, stated, “Our commitment to addressing critical gaps in India’s journey towards net-zero emissions is unwavering. Through innovative products like the Digital Solar-based EV Charging Platform, we are accelerating the widespread adoption of sustainable mobility, propelling India towards its ambitious carbon emissions goals.”

The platform stands out for allowing EV owners to subscribe and use digital solar credits at home chargers and across all charging networks connected to the IONAGE platform. Additionally, it offers opportunities for Charging Point Operators (CPOs) to reach IONAGE’s 65,000 users and enable digital solar-based charging in their network.
Mathew Samuel, co-founder of SundayGrids, added, “SundayGrids is proud to collaborate with IONAGE in pioneering India’s first Digital Solar-based EV Charging Platform. Together, we are disrupting the accessibility and perception of solar energy, empowering individuals and businesses to embrace clean energy solutions.”

Recently, the Indian government announced its vision through the ‘PradhanmantriSuryoday Yojana’, which will target installing solar rooftops that are set to ensure free electricity of up to 300 units every month for one crore households. In 2022, the government shared a vision of increasing solar power capacity to 100 GW. This commitment, which underscores the national drive towards clean and sustainable energy solutions, is also perfectly aligned with the launch of this groundbreaking platform.

As of 2021, India has recorded over 1 million EV sales, and as per industry reports, this number is expected to touch 50 million by 2030. As per Moody’s Investors Service, while India has the fourth-largest car market globally, its electric vehicle (EV) penetration currently remains at just 1 percent. The government’s Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) policies have played a pivotal role in accelerating EV adoption across the country. In spite of positive government initiatives and policy support directed to achieve the GoI’s target of 30 percent EV penetration by 2030, the key challenge remains the availability of a reliable, accessible, and affordable EV charging infrastructure, which is the cornerstone of success for the EV sector in India. IONAGE aims to work toward solving this challenge!

The newly launched platform is compatible with all types of EVs and is open to EV owners, CPOs, EV manufacturers, enterprises, and government agencies looking at a truly sustainable EV transition.IONAGE anticipates capturing 50,000 combined subscriptions from existing and new EV owners by 2025, with a combined installation of over 60 MW through this groundbreaking platform. IONAGE and SundayGrids envision expediting the adoption and utilization of renewable energy sources, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future for the nation.

Bengaluru, 22nd February 2024: Indusface, an award-winning, fast-growing, institutionally-funded Application Security SaaS company, today announced the release of SwyftComply, a game-changing solution that will enable security leaders to provide a clean, zero-vulnerability report for compliance within 72 hours.

Developers are increasingly adopting the agile methodology and incorporating Free and Open-source Software (FOSS). This leads to more open vulnerabilities, many of which cannot be protected on time as the patch is not readily available. According to studies by Indusface, 31% of vulnerabilities remained open even after 180 days.

In this scenario, providing a clean report during security audits is a major source of stress for security teams worldwide. SwyftComply will help security teams shrink the windows of vulnerability from 180+ days to 3 days.

Speaking about this, Ashish Tandon, Founder & CEO, Indusface said, “From day zero, AppTrana was built with the sole objective of giving our customers 100% transparency on application protection. We were the first Web Application & API Protection (WAAP) provider to integrate the DAST scanner and provide pen testing just to give our customers a single pane of glass view on open vulnerabilities vs. protection status on the WAAP. So far, our customers could request protection against each vulnerability separately. With this launch, we’ll protect all their open vulnerabilities on AppTrana within 72 hours and give them a clean report for compliance.”

Sharing his thoughts, Rajesh Dalal, Senior Manager, Information Security, HDFC Ergo said, “A clean report with zero open vulnerabilities is mandatory for regulatory compliance. That said, patching open vulnerabilities is increasingly difficult as developers tend to use third-party and open-source components where the patches are not readily available. The zero-vulnerability report capability is exciting. It will be a game-changer for security compliance. We have had a preview of the autonomous patching service on AppTrana and are looking forward to the full release.”

“The protection provided by AppTrana WAAP has significantly reduced vulnerability windows on our applications. Indusface’s commitment to zero false positives has enabled us to patch vulnerabilities at scale on the WAAP at Titan. This new capability to obtain a zero-vulnerability clean report in days will be a game-changer, particularly for PCI compliance”, added Kanchan Roy, Manager – Systems, Titan.

Salient features of SwyftComply include:

• Inbuilt DAST scanner to continuously detect vulnerabilities including zero days.
• Autonomous patching to protect against all open vulnerabilities on the AppTrana     WAAP  platform.
• A clean, zero-vulnerability report that could be downloaded on the portal within 72     hours.

Leading polyurethane (PU) systems solutions provider Pearl Group has appointed Leslie Gyertson as its new Chief Operating Officer. Gyertson, a seasoned executive with over 28 years of experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain, global procurement, and business development, joins Pearl to drive operational excellence and spearhead the establishment of new international plants.

With an impressive background, including senior roles at BASF AG, Sika AG, Holcim Group, and Enerpac Tool Group, and responsibilities in Europe, LATAM, South-East Asia, and the Middle East, Gyertson brings a wealth of knowledge in transforming operations functions to enhance business growth and profitability.

At Enerpac Tool Group, he led global supply chain initiatives, achieving remarkable cost savings and efficiency improvements. His expertise in business transformation and project management will be instrumental in Pearl’s efforts to boost efficiency, grow its global production footprint, remove bottlenecks in its expansion plans and achieve the organisation’s ambitious PearlX2 strategy, which aims to double the business within five years.

The appointment of Gyertson, a German national, reflects Pearl’s commitment to attracting international talent of the highest calibre and expanding its C-suite capacity to support its PearlX2 growth strategy. His leadership is expected to introduce innovative systems and processes that will further establish Pearl as a global leader in the polyurethane industry.

Commenting on the appointment, Pearl Group’s CEO, Martin Kruczinna, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Leslie to the Pearl team. This newly created role signifies a deliberate move towards refining Pearl’s operational efficiencies, enhancing leadership depth, and preparing for scalable growth. This role is not just about managing day-to-day operations but about envisioning and executing strategies that propel the company forward in a competitive landscape. It reflects Pearl’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and our readiness to embrace the challenges of global expansion.

“Leslie’s extensive experience and visionary leadership are exactly what we need to streamline our operations and achieve our ambitious growth objectives. I’m confident that under Leslie’s guidance, our team will reach new heights of efficiency and innovation, solidifying our position as an industry leader. His appointment marks a significant milestone in our journey, and I look forward to the exceptional value he will bring to our operations and overall strategic direction,” Kruczinna added.

Gyertson said, “I am excited to join Pearl Group and look forward to contributing to its success on a global scale. Pearl’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and excellence is closely aligned with my experience and aspirations. Together, we will work towards enhancing operational efficiencies and expanding our footprint internationally.”

Leslie Gyertson holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Ludwigshafen, Germany. His international exposure and leadership across Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific will be pivotal in Pearl’s global expansion efforts.

New Delhi,22nd February 2024 Global student housing marketplace, University Living and world’s leading learning company, Pearsoncollaborate to facilitate foreign accommodation, financial services, and logistics support for study-abroad aspirants in India. This partnership will offer exclusive special discounts, benefits, and assistance to aid the global mobility of the PTE test takers from India.

Saurabh Arora, Founder and CEO of University Living, stated, “A secure accommodation and reliable financial support is very crucial in enabling student migration. Our collaboration with Pearson is a step further in this direction to support the outbound student community in their academic pursuits across borders, majorly in Australia and Canada. We stand committed in our endeavour to provide the students with safe spaces where they can give shape to their academic and professional aspirations.”

Prabhul Ravindran, Director of English Language Learning at Pearson India, said, “At Pearson, we understand the complexities faced by students who are planning to study abroad. Our collaboration with University Living is aimed to empower these students by simplifying and streamlining the entire process. Together, we will help the students to focus on their preparation for PTE, without the distraction and anxiety about accommodation and financial support. We are offering a unified value proposition with some exclusive offers that will further enhance the convenience of PTE Test takers and help them in their journey.”

Through this partnership, University Living and Pearson will organize webinars, seminars, and campus visits, offering valuable insights and guidance to aspiring learners. They will also launch and enable destination-specific counselling on accommodation and education packages for key markets like Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

University Living is a leading global student housing marketplace offering 2Mn beds in 65K properties across 515 international education hubs in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore & UAE. Pearson’s PTE is one of the fastest, fairest, and simplest tests of English amongst foreign-going students today. The test can be booked online 24 hours in advance, is computer-based, and is taken in a secure test centre. The scores are returned within 1.3 days on average, to assist in the fast-tracking of visa and admission applications.

Last year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognized PTE-Academic as an acceptable test for all SDS (Student Direct Stream) applications and PTE-Core as proof of English language proficiency for Canadian permanent residency or citizenship. The UK, Australian, and New Zealand governments for all visa applications also accept PTE Academic. PTE Academic is accepted by thousands of universities across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the USA. PTE can be taken at more than 445 PTE centres in 117 countries.

Bengaluru, 22nd February 2024: Cosmo First, having multiple businesses in Films, Rigids, Petcare, Adhesives, Masterbatches, and Coatings, etc., won two awards for its continuous efforts towards sustainable innovation and staying ahead of the curve. Cosmo First bagged the prestigious Forbes Asia Best Under a Billion Companies Awards for its relentless drive for sustainable innovation. The Indian Flexible Packaging and Folding Carton Association (IFCA) Star Award 2023 was conferred on Cosmo First’s products including Super Barrier BOPP film and High Puncture Resistant BOPP film.

Sharing his thoughts on this recognition, Mr Pankaj Poddar, Group CEO, Cosmo First said, “We are honoured to be recognized with these two prestigious awards, which are an indication of our commitment to innovation. At Cosmo First Limited, innovation is ingrained in our daily operations. Our teams constantly push boundaries to pioneer solutions that drive our industry forward in an eco-friendly manner. These awards motivate us to keep raising the bar. Together, we will continue to deliver cutting-edge products that create value responsibly.”

In the past, Cosmo First Limited has won prestigious honors that emphasize the company’s unrelenting commitment to innovation and excellence across its diverse businesses. Cosmo was ranked in Fortune’s Next 500 and Dun & Bradstreet’s top 500 corporates. Its subsidiary, Cosmo Films, earned accolades including the IFCA Star Awards for breakthroughs in films and packaging, the WordStar Global Packaging Award for beverage packaging, and the SIES SOP Star Award for label films. Additionally, Cosmo Films’ Waluj plant was awarded CII’s National 5’S Excellence Award. These achievements showcase Cosmo First’s position at the frontier of packaging technology and sustainability, along with its operational excellence. The recognitions reflect the company’s continued drive to push boundaries and deliver cutting-edge solutions.

Bengaluru, 21 February 2024: Pearl Academy hosted its much-awaited annual event, What’s Next on February 16 and 17 at Taj West End, Bengaluru. Attendees at the flagship event explored the future trajectory of design-tech convergence.

Conducted in a World Cafe format, the two-day conference allowed attendees to engage in collaborative dialogue, knowledge sharing, and creating possibilities for action focussed on the critical concerns of contemporary times.

Welcoming the participants, which comprised industry stalwarts, Aditi Srivastava, President, Pearl Academy, said: “Our journey is rooted in nurturing complete creative professionals who transcend classroom boundaries to impact communities profoundly. With a focus on global exposure, tech expertise, industry-ready competencies and life skills, we empower students to be leaders in various creative domains.”

Celebrating human ingenuity, What’s Next delved into the fascinating interplay between innovation, imagination, and AI through insights from industry leaders, thought leaders, design academicians, and practitioners. The stimulating discussions focussed on the limitless potential of artificial intelligence (AI). The event also initiated a dialogue on the future of creative expression, the evolution of design processes, and the transformative impact of technology on every aspect of human creation.

In his keynote, Dr. Sharad Mehra, President, Creative Arts Education Society (CAES), elucidated the megatrends shaping society in the 21st century, influencing various aspects of life including technology, demographics, environment, economics, and culture, “Rapid advancements in technology, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, demographic shifts owning to aging populations in many parts of the world, coupled with urbanisation and migration patterns, and increasing recognition of climate change and its impacts on ecosystems, present both opportunities and challenges for individuals, communities, and governments to navigate in today’s world,” Dr. Mehra said.

Featuring an array of themes, the conference included a series of sessions led by experts like Mr. Biren Ghose, MD Asia Pacific & Global Excom Member- Technicolor Creative; Mr. Alok B. Nandi, – Designer, Creative Director at Architempo, and Author; Mr. Niyam Bhushan, Design Leadership, Google and TEDx Speaker; Mr. Surya Vanka, Founder of Authentic Design, Chair-elect of Industrial Designers Society of America, and Founding Advisor of the Global Impact Collective; and Mr. Nikhil Malhotra, Chief Innovation Officer, Tech Mahindra. Mr. Malhotra announced that they will be establishing Tech Mahindra Maker’s Labs at Pearl Academy. These sessions discussed the intricate relationship between visual aesthetics, user interfaces, and user experiences; the transformative impact of emerging technologies on design education, user experiences, and creative expression; and the intersection of technology and creativity in fashion, animation, and visual effects.

Addressing the audience, Mr. Surya Vanka said, “In a world defined by uncertainty and complexity, the three things that are going to impact the future of creative learning are technology of intelligence, collective imagination, and inclusion.  Moving beyond a traditional approach to learning and embracing a dynamic and flexible framework that integrates technology, design thinking, and ethical leadership has become more important than ever before. Incorporating AI-driven tools and platforms can further enable educators to provide students with personalised learning experiences and tailored support. Another critical responsibility as educators is to empower our students with the tools and values to navigate the challenges of our rapidly changing world with creativity, compassion, and innovation.”

The panel discussions in PechaKucha format allowed the participants to engage in collaborative dialogues and share insights on the next wave of innovations poised to reshape industries and societies.

What’s Next stands as a catalyst for change and inspires design professionals to reimagine the future of creativity and technology. As the industry evolves, Pearl Academy remains committed to fostering meaningful conversations and driving innovation.

HYDERABAD, India  February 21, 2024:  Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS) a global healthcare company, announced that its Aurangabad, India, facility has received certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI) for meeting a new industry standard on Minimized Risk of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

The standard was facilitated by BSI for the AMR Industry Alliance, an organization made up of over 100 companies and associations from across the life-sciences industry with the shared goal of providing sustainable solutions to curb AMR. The certification is designed to encourage drug manufacturers and those in the supply chain to prioritize the sustainable production of antibiotics.

“We are proud to be the first pharmaceutical site in India to achieve this important Minimized Risk of Antimicrobial Resistance certification from BSI, demonstrating our commitment to controlling antibiotic discharge,” said Sanjeev Sethi, Chief Operations Officer, Viatris. “Many thanks to our cross-functional team members for continuing to implement sustainable systems and processes that advance the responsible manufacturing of antibiotics.”

“Viatris having gained independent certification, and the first to do so in India, is a reflection of their leadership and commitment to tackling global AMR,” said Steve Brooks, Advisor and Manufacturing Work Group Lead, AMR Industry Alliance. “From their initial days with the Alliance, Viatris has been a key contributor to achieving greater results in our shared goal of providing sustainable solutions to curb AMR while being responsible stewards of the environment.”

AMR is recognized around the world as a significant threat to global health and economic development and is a major driver of death globally. Recent research shows that in 2019, more than 1.2 million people are estimated to have died directly from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. By 2050, it is estimated that AMR will cause more deaths than cancer unless concerted efforts are undertaken to counter its progression.¹ 

Viatris’ Commitment to Combatting AMR

Viatris remains committed to doing its part to address AMR by advancing access, stewardship and responsible manufacturing. Access to a wide array of high-quality antimicrobials and timely treatment are key in mitigating the rise of AMR. The company currently has approximately 90 antimicrobials in its global portfolio, including antibiotics that can be valuable in treating resistant bacteria. As a founding member of the AMR Industry Alliance (AMRIA), Viatris is committed to partnering across the industry to collectively advance initiatives addressing AMR.

Pune, February 21, 2024: Manipal Hospital, Kharadi today commenced its specialized Vein Clinic to offer comprehensive care to people suffering from various vein conditions. With this clinic, the hospital aims to provide early diagnosis, preventive measures, and advanced treatments, all under one roof. This is an initiative to raise awareness and give importance to venous diseases which are extremely common, however often neglected, leading to critical health problems.

The collaborative approach brings together the knowledge and expertise of specialists in vascular medicine, vascular interventional radiology, dermatology, and diagnostic radiology. These experts are experienced in the diagnosis and advanced minimally invasive treatments of various venous diseases like varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), venous malformation, central vein stenosis/occlusion, superior vena cava syndrome and May-Thurner syndrome.  

Speaking on the commencement of the clinic, Dr. Santosh Patil, Consultant, Neuro and Vascular Interventional Radiology at Manipal Hospitals, Kharadi, Pune said, “Venous problems especially varicose veins tend to be overlooked and underdiagnosed, leading patients to ignore possible health issues. Previously, surgical procedures were the only option, but with advancements like laser therapy and venaseal treatments, minimally invasive solutions are now available. These procedures offer faster recovery times and excellent results, yet there’s still a lack of awareness among the public about these advanced treatments.” 

Parameswar Das, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, said, “We at Manipal Hospital believe in providing easy access to quality care for everyone. With our new Vein Clinic, we’re committed to providing specialised consultants and the best medical care to the people of Pune and nearby areas. This initiative not only reflects our dedication to clinical excellence but also shows our commitment to making an impact in the lives of individuals in our city.” 

The Vein Clinic will be open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Patients with varicose ulcers, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or varicose veins need to schedule appointments by calling 020 6165 6666.